The pool draw and fixtures for the Women's Sevens Dublin tournament were announced today. Ireland will play South Africa, Hong Kong and Mexico in Pool C.

The tournament takes place in the UCD Bowl on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of August. 12 Teams from across the globe will descend on Dublin to take part in the tournament which will see the top two finishers qualify for the 2015-16 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

Olympic qualified Brazil will battle it out alongside Wales, Japan and Samoa in Pool A while Columbia, who will also be in Rio in 2016 are joined by Chile, Netherlands and Kenya in Pool B.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Anthony Eddy, IRFU Director of Rugby Sevens said, "It's massively important to get on to the world series circuit, it's our number one goal, that way we are playing against the best teams in the world. If we are going to have a shot at the world Olympic repechage we are going to have to play at the best level.”

"In our pool we face South Africa who are a team that have been on the world circuit for a couple of years now are one of the teams that have been relegated from last season. They will be desperate to perform at this event and get back on the series circuit. We are definitely up for the challenge and it's great to have the tournament at home.”

"With 12 countries competing in this event from all over the world, this is a great opportunity to give the game more exposure in Ireland.”

UCD will host over 200 visiting players and management with games taking place at the UCD Bowl, which has a capacity of up to 3,000 supporters. Tickets for the tournament start at 5 euro, with children free, and are available from www.ticketmaster.ie.

The IRFU have announced the dates, time and venues for the start of the Women's Interprovincial completion which will see defending champion Munster travel to face Connacht in the Sportsground, while Leinster, last year's runners-up, travel to Portadown RFU to face Ulster on Saturday 22nd August.

Irish women's rugby has gone from strength to strength in recent years and with the introduction of the Women's national team into the IRFU high performance department, the team's success in the 2015 Six Nations and players now targeting a coveted place on the national team ahead of the mouth-watering Women Rugby World Cup 2017, to be held in Dublin and Belfast, the stakes have never been higher in the women's game.

Nora Stapleton, IRFU Women and Girls Development Executive said, "Last year saw Munster defend their title with a clean sweep of wins over the other three Provinces. As the standard of our national team increases so too does the standard of the interprovincial matches.

All Provinces now feature numerous International players as well as up and coming talent looking to push on to the Ireland squad as we build towards the 2017 World Cup to be held on home soil. Everyone interested in rugby should get behind these games which deliver entertainment, passion and skill.”

Ireland selected to host World Rugby Women's Sevens Tournament

Irish rugby fans will experience the excitement of a major World Rugby women's sevens tournament for the first time this August with the announcement that Women's Sevens Dublin will be held in UCD on the 22nd and 23rd of August.

The IRFU were selected to host the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series Qualifier 2015, which will see 12 teams, including Olympic qualified Brazil and Colombia, compete for the two remaining places on the coveted 2015-16 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series.

UCD will host over 200 visiting players and management with games taking place at the UCD Bowl, which has a capacity of up to 3,000 supporters. A family friendly carnival atmosphere will provide the perfect backdrop to this important event in the women's sevens calendar.

The announcement is yet another step forward for women's sport in Ireland as it comes just weeks after World Rugby awarded the Irish Rugby Football Union and Ulster Rugby the Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 which will be held at in Dublin and Belfast in August 2017.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset said:

"With the 2016 Olympic Games looming large on the horizon and the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series now an important and popular fixture on the international rugby calendar, this qualifying tournament in Dublin is extremely important for World Rugby and of course the individual teams involved.”

"Competition is fierce at this level and it is very encouraging to see that the overall standard of the women's game is rising all the time. There have never been so many exciting opportunities for women's sevens players as there are today. The series, the Olympics and of course Rugby World Cup Sevens mean the world's best female players are in the public eye more than ever before. This in turn is attracting more players, spectators and commercial partners into the game, which is having a significant, beneficial effect.”

"I would like to thank the IRFU for hosting this tournament and I've no doubt all the teams will be working hard in preparation as they seek to qualify for next season's series. For two teams that effort will bear fruit and for the rest I'm sure they will benefit from the experience of competing in an elite, high-intensity, two-day sevens event.”

"We are delighted with today's announcement that Ireland is going to host the Women's Sevens Dublin Tournament. UCD is a world class facility and it is a great opportunity to build the women's game on an international stage.

This gives us a great opportunity to showcase the game and we look forward to welcoming the International teams to Ireland for what is sure to be a great event.”

A star-studded Vixens squad triumphed in the ‘Supervalu 7s in the City’ all female Sevens tournament hosted by Buccaneers RFC at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday. After a most entertaining afternoon of competitive sevens, Vixens overcame an also impressive Railway Union side in the decider. Last year’s winners Blackrock captured ‘The Piano Bar Plate’ trophy, defeating a spirited Shirt The Ducks in that final. In the U-18 competition, Portlaoise proved too strong for neighbours Tullamore. National Breast Cancer Research Ireland was the designated charity of this Sevens event.

Vixens and Railway Union both progressed with 100% win records through their group sections, both conceding just two tries enroute to the knockout stage. Here Vixens overcame Old Belvedere 36-0 in their semi-final while Railway Union accounted for hosts Buccaneers 29-5. In the final, Vixens with Jeanette Feighery snatching a brace of tries scampered away to a 19-0 halftime advantage that was stretched to 26-0 early in the second period. Siobhan Barrett and Ailsa Hughes shared the latter two tries and Jeamie Deacon added a hat-trick of conversions.

Cajoled by Tania Rosser, capped 50 times by Ireland, they were sharper and more clinical when chances appeared, yet this margin flattered them as Railway Union too had opportunities. However, their support play was not as swift or cohesive as it needed to be but they refused to throw in the towel and a strong finish in which they reduced the arrears to 26-14 was a fairer reflection on their endeavours. Eimear Murphy and Nicole Fowley finished off enterprising work for their touchdowns. Union gained some consolation with Kim Flood taking the ‘R8 Player of the Tournament’ accolade.

Blackrock were unable to retain the Open title won in last summer’s inaugural ‘7s in the City’ but they battled all afternoon and were rewarded with a hard-earned 33-22 success over Shirt The Ducks in the Plate final. The Galwegians representatives really got in the spirit of the occasion as they also celebrated their captain Marian Doolan’s birthday! Rock dominated for the majority of this decider but, despite looking comfortably ahead on a number of occasions, they found the westerners challenging to the very end before prevailing 33-22.

In the U-18 grade, Portlaoise looked much more organised and experienced than a younger looking Tullamore outfit in this midlands derby. The impressive Eimear Corri scored the first try of the afternoon and also looked the most exciting prospective talent on view. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s may not have enjoyed much reward on the field of play but they were worthy winners of the ‘Fair Play’ award.

Overall, it was a solid tournament although the unseasonably cool and showery weather was a bit of a spoilsport in the early proceedings. Key event organisers Mele Kiripati, Sandra Griffin and Niamh Ni Dhroma are to be complimented on their endeavours and there is a worthwhile platform to build for the future. Ireland players Laura Lee Walsh and Shannon Houston attended and the RBS Womens Six Nations championship trophy also put in an appearance. The generosity of all the sponsors is greatly appreciated with Athlone Towncentre supporting the free Family Day fun attractions such as bouncy castle, tug-of-war and face-painting that proved so popular with children and parents alike. In a well-structured event, the contribution of referees, physios and Order of Malta are gratefully acknowledged as was the input of scorekeeper Alex Hayman and announcer Diarmuid Sloane. Roll on next year!

Meanwhile Buccaneers can also be pleased with their on-field performance where busy duo Sandra and Niamh also contributed notably. They opened with a fine 24-5 win over St. Mary’s through tries by Emer Phelan, Siobhan Tierney, Sandra Griffin and Niamh Ni Dhroma. Hazel Kilduff kicked a brace of conversions before scoring a try in the 26-5 loss to Vixens. Trailing 0-7 at halftime to Shirt The Ducks, Buccs put in an impressive rally to overhaul the Wegians girls 17-7 in this Connacht derby through tries by Ni Dhroma, Phelan and Roisin Feighery who converted her own touchdown. This set-up a Cup semi-final joust with Railway Union who proved much too strong on a 29-5 margin, Siobhan Tierney getting Buccs try.

TAG ON THURSDAYS

The Tag Rugby Summer League continues on Thursdays and the main contenders in both the Open and Social sections are beginning to shape up for the finals night which is now rescheduled for Friday, July 24th. The various awards presentations will take place in The Bounty on the night so all participants are reminded make a note of the date.

FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

A new ‘Facilities Development Programme’ was launched by the club at the recent A.G.M. The current facilities, opened in 2003, cost €2.5m and were the best club facility in the country and has hosted Ireland U-20 Six Nations internationals, All-Ireland League and Cup finals and an Ireland pre-World Cup training camp as well as Connacht fixtures.

The club has now prepared a five year plan that includes pitch and dressing-room upgrades as well as the possibility of the provision of extra pitch(es) to cater for the burgeoning growth in player numbers and also to maintain Dubarry Park as one of the premier club grounds in the country. The club is endeavouring to build up a fund, including Sports Capital Grant support, to drive this project on. Members and supporters are invited to sign up for a Standing Order scheme to build up the necessary funds, which will be ring-fenced for facilities developments. Our retired trustee Patrick Cooney has agreed to chair the development committee. Brochures (including Standing Order form) can be obtained from Committee members or from our Administrator Geraldine at Dubarry Park where she may be contacted at 0861732711 or
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The club thanks you for your valued and continued support.

GOLF CLASSIC

Buccaneers RFC annual GOLF CLASSIC takes place at Glasson Golf Club on Friday, July 17th. Entries from teams of four players are welcome for this popular event and, of course, the earlier you enter the better the tee-off time available to you. Contact Geraldine at 0861732711 for time-sheet details.

The second “7s in the City” all female Sevens tournament takes place at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday, June 6th.

Last year’s inaugural event, organised and run in the main by Buccaneers Womens squad, proved very successful and highly promising for further development. This season’s event promises extra competitions in addition to the Womens Open and Womens Social sections as well as a U-18 category.

Girls U-15 and Girls U-12 grades are also planned as is extending the event to incorporate a family day with face-painting and bouncy castle, etc., while it will be rounded off that night with music in a marquee at the venue. So, with a substantial prize fund again on offer, a super day is anticipated.

For further information or to enter, contact Niamh 0874112790 or Sandra 0870925504 or email
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